Private (Private 1)

“Yeah, Dad. I know. I’ll talk to you soon.”

And there it was. What it was all about. Her. How she would feel.

I hung up before he could even say good-bye.

How she would react. The terror and guilt she would rain down on

“Nice work, glass-licker,” Noelle said, slapping me on the

all of us when she was disappointed. I was so sick of it. So sick of shoulder.

living in fear of her. The woman even had my father quaking in his

“Would you please stop calling me that?” I blurted.

boots.

Surprised anger flashed across her face and for a split second I

“Tell her to call me,” I said sharply. “If that’s what she wants.”

thought she was going to explode. But then she smiled.

“Reed. I was so looking forward to it,” he said. “To seeing you.”

“All you had to do was ask.”

My heart clenched. Not for the first time, I wished it were just my dad. That would make life so much easier. Maybe if I could just have him come. Maybe if there was a way . . .

I felt myself start to crumble and I glanced at Noelle. She must have seen the weakness in my eyes because hers grew dark.

“D

on’t you cave,” she said through her teeth. “Do not cave.”

P R I V A T E

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most popular guy in school, but also the most powerful. People

always seemed to listen and act on every word he said.

“Hey,” he said, wrapping his warm arms around me.

I sunk into him, breathing in his clean scent. So much better.

CLARITY

“Hey,” I replied. “So, I did it.”

“Did what?” he asked. He leaned back slightly to look into my

eyes.

“I told my parents not to come.” Even as I said it, my heart

clenched.